"'And now, farewell, my children! Come here no more; Our road lies to Allfather's far-distant shore, E'en as the troubled river sweeps to the sea: By Frey and Thor and Odin blessed may ye be.'" TEGNÉR, _Frithiof Saga_ (Spalding's tr.). [Sidenote: Helgé and Halfdan.] These instructions were all piously obeyed when the aged companions had breathed their last. Then the brothers, Helgé and Halfdan, began to rule their kingdom, while Frithiof, their former playmate, withdrew to his own place at Framnäs, a very fertile homestead, lying in a snug valley closed in by the towering mountains and the ever-changing ocean. "Three miles extended around the fields of the homestead; on three sides Valleys and mountains and hills, but on the fourth side was the ocean. Birch-woods crowned the summits, but over the down-sloping hillsides Flourished the golden corn, and man-high was waving the rye- field." TEGNÉR, _Frithiof Saga_ (Longfellow's tr.). But although surrounded by faithful retainers, and blessed with much wealth and the possession of the famous sword Angurvadel, the Völund ring, and the matchless dragon ship Ellida, Frithiof was unhappy, because he could no longer see the fair Ingeborg daily. With the returning spring, however, all his former spirits returned, for both kings came to visit him, accompanied by their fair sister, with whom he lived over the happy childish years, and spent long hours in cheerful companionship. As they were thus constantly thrown together, Frithiof soon made known to Ingeborg his deep affection, and received in return an avowal of her love. "He sat by her side, and he pressed her soft hand, And he felt a soft pressure responsive and bland; Whilst his love-beaming gaze Was returned as the sun's in the moon's placid rays." TEGNÉR, _Frithiof Saga_ (Longfellow's tr.). [Sidenote: Frithiof's suit.] When the visit was over and the guests had departed, Frithiof informed his confidant and chief companion, Björn, of his determination to follow them and openly ask for Ingeborg's hand. His ship was prepared, and after a swift sail touched the shore near Balder's shrine. Discerning the royal brothers seated in state on Belé's tomb to listen to the petitions of their subjects, Frithiof immediately presented himself before them, and manfully made his request, adding that the old king had always loved him and would surely have granted his prayer. "They were seated on Belè's tomb, and o'er The common folk administered law. But Frithiof speaks, And his voice re-echoes round valleys and peaks. "'Ye kings, my love is Ingborg fair; To ask her in marriage I here repair; And what I require I here maintain was King Belè's desire.